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August 1978

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Document:	VAX-11 Disk Save and Compress User's Guide
Order Number:	AA-D739A-TE
Revision:	0
Pages:	46
Original Filename:

OCR Text

August 1978

This document explains the capabilities and usage of the two Disk Save
and Compress (DSC) utilities that copy Files-11 disk files to either disk
or to tape, and from tape back onto disk. It is intended for users with

some VAX-11/780 experience and some familiarity with VAX/VMS
operating system concepts and procedures.

VAX-11
Disk Save and Compress

User’s Guide
Order No. AA-D739A-TE

SUPERSESSION/UPDATE INFORMATION:

This is a new document for this release.

OPERATING SYSTEM AND VERSION:

VAX/VMS VO1

SOFTWARE VERSION:

VAX/VMS V01

To order additional copies of this document, contact the Software Distribution
Center, Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

digital equipment corporation - maynard, massachusetts

First Printing,

The

information

and

should

not be

this document
construed as

software

and may

only

described
be

used

this

copied

document
in

1978

subject to change without notice

commitment by

Digital

Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes
for any errors that may appear in this document.
The

August

Equipment

no responsibility

furnished under

accordance with

the

terms

license
of

such

license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on
equipment that is not supplied by DIGITAL or its affiliated companies.

The

1978 by Digital Equipment Corporation

postage-prepaid

READER'S

COMMENTS

form on

requests the user's
future documentation.

critical

evaluation

document

paring

The

following

are

trademarks

Digital

the

last

page

assist

Equipment Corporation:

DIGITAL

DECsystem-10

DEC

DECtape

OMNIBUS

PDP

DIBOL

DECUS

EDUSYSTEM

0s/8
PHA

UNIBUS

FLIP

COMPUTER LABS

FOCAL

CHIP

MASSBUS

RSTS

COMTEX

INDAC

RSX
TYPESET~8

DDT

LAB-~-8

TYPESET-11

DECCOMM

DECSYSTEM~20

TMS-11

ASSIST-11

RTS-8

ITPS-10

VAX

VMS

SBI

DECnet

IAS

this

pre-

CONTENTS

Page

DSC TRANSFERS

INITIATING AND TERMINATING VAX-1ll DSC
STAND-ALONE

DSC

MODE

o bt o

QUALIFIER
QUALIFIER

DATA TRANSFER FROM DISK

TAPE

DATA TRANSFER FROM TAPE
DATA TRANSFER TO

DSC

MESSAGES

DSC

MESSAGES:

DISK

TEXT,

EXPLANATION,

AND

CORRECTIVE

ACTION

DSC

I/O ERROR MESSAGES

4-2
4-12
Index-1

INDEX

TABLES

TABLE

OPERATION

DATA TRANSFER TO

CHAPTER

I
|

QUALIFIER

VWO

COMPARE
VERIFY

QUALIFIER

DENSITY

N
NDNNDNDDNDNDNON

QUALIFIER

BLOCK

NONMERGE

DSC

AND OPTIONS

LABEL

REWIND
BAD

QUALIFIERS,

FILE

LABELS,

D WwN -

FILE

DSC

FORMAT

Wwww

DEVICES

WNH-

COMMAND

DSC

CHAPTER

DSC

APPEND
OO

NDNNDNDNNDNDNOND

CHAPTER

Initiating Stand-Alone DSC
Terminating Stand-Alone DSC

WwWNn N

INITIATING AND TERMINATING

b b

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER

ubadbdbWWhN

!‘—'

PREFACE

Devices Used with DSC
Stand-Alone DSC-Supported Devices
DSC Qualifiers and Options
General Error and I/0 Error Message Codes

iii

PREFACE

MANUAL

OBJECTIVES

The

objective

the

disk

two

files

Users

how

data

guide

Save

either

1learn

transfer

this

Disk

and

explain

Compress

disk

and

during

copy

for

any

tape,

what

the

(DSC)

and

extent

capabilities

utilities

from
they

that

tape
are

and

copy

back

able

usage

Files-11

onto

disk.

regqulate

the

responsibility

operation.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This
the

guide
need

system

need

intended

back

managers,

use

STRUCTURE

and

programmers

are

has

the

Files-11

who

disk.

all

likely,

THIS

User's

Guide

1is

some

point,

DSC

Chapter
command

2 defines how you control copy
and associated qualifiers.

Chapter

four

Chapter

organized

into

four

DSC is and what it does.
This chapter
initiate and terminate DSC, and how to

request

operators,

DOCUMENT

Chapter 1 explains what
also
tells
you how to

the

System

DSC.

The Disk Save
and
Compress
chapters, as follows:
®

person

reconstruct

operations.

explains the
data transfer
4

provides

operations

steps that DSC performs
operations.
an

explanation

with

during

each

DSC

each

DSC-generated

message.

ASSOCIATED

DOCUMENTS

The VAX-1l
that
you
functions.

Information Directory
may
need
to
refer

DSC

user,

operating
of

Files~1ll

bootstrap

you

system.

should

have

Specifically,

lists and describes
to
1in
the
course

general

you

on-disk
structure
and
mounting procedures.

and

understanding

must
a

all the documents
of performing DSC

have

familiarity
with
below are the

Listed

the

conceptual

VAX/VMS

knowledge
VAX-11/780
areas

major

of interest to DSC users and the documents associated with each area.
General

background:

Files=-11

structure:

Bootstrap and
mounting procedures:

VAX/VMS Summary Description
VAX/VMS Primer
Introduction to VAX-1l Record
Management Services
VAX-11 Record Management Services
Reference Manual

VAX/VMS Operator's Guide
VAX/VMS System Manager's Guide
VAX-11 Software Installation Guide

CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION

The VAX-11l Disk Save and Compress (DSC) utility programs DSCl and DSC2
copy Files-11 disk files to either disk or to tape, and from tape back
onto disk.
At the same time, the programs reallocate and
consolidate
the
area used for data storage:
both programs concatenate disk files
and their extensions
into
contiguous
data
blocks
and
reduce
the
required number of retrieval pointers and file headers.

Strictly speaking, a DSC copy operation is
involved
in
the
transfer is restored to
copy operation, you can gain access to the
file immediately after DSC copies the data

not complete
disk.
After

until the data
a disk-to-disk
of
the
new
disk
original disk.

contents
from the

After

a disk-to-tape operation, however, you cannot gain access to the
data
while it is on tape, because DSC stores data on magnetic tape in
a format recognizable only to DSC.
To gain access to this
data,
you
must. perform

DSC,

which

Files-11
read

second

reformats
disk.

tape,

disk—-to-tape

the

copy

Because
DSC

operation

tape's
of

accepts

contents
the

submitting

and

special

only

tapes

then

format
that

the

that

DSC

Files-11

users

and

IAS

VAX/VMS
and

can

level

transport

systems.

disks

That

structure

Files-11

between

is,

versa.

transportable;

systems

level

Structure

structure

level

this

level

structure

document,

the

level

term

"DSC"

Level
and

disks

during

RSX-11D,
Level

disks

can

applies

one
disk
to
magnetic tape
disk
from
a

volume
1

allows

RSX-11D,

created

IAS

Isystem,

format

1is

not

run

only

structure
1level
2
to

format

RSX-11M,

can

The
DSCl utility program copies
utility program copies
structure

Throughout

and

is,

level

Structure

VAX/VMS

structure

Files-11

that

VAX/VMS
systems.
disks and the DSC2
1

formatted

volume.

system and transported to an RSX-11M,

vice

the

operation.

disk

structure

back

requires

created

You can thus use DSC either to write
the
contents
of
another disk, or to transcribe the contents of a disk to
for permanent storage, or
to
reconstruct
a
Files-11
magnetic tape.

tape

reconstructs

both

level 1
disks.

structure

disks.

In addition, an entirely self-contained, stand-alone
version
of
the
DSC2 utility program is available.
This version of DSC2 enables users
with one-disk systems to
back
up
and
restore
their
system
disk.
Stand-alone
DSC2
also enables users to create a system disk when the
VAX/VMS operating system distribution medium is a magnetic tap€.

This
DSC.

document describes
Users

operating
Guide and
performed

only

responsible

the

for

data

transfer

installing

system should refer
to
the
the VAX/VMS Operator's Guide
before initiating DSC.

VAX-11
for the

operations
backing

Software
procedures

performed
the

VAX/VMS

Installation
that must be

INTRODUCTION

1.1

DSC

TRANSFERS

DSC

transfers data from a Files-1l1l disk to
either
disk
or
tape
by
copying
only
blocks
that are allocated to active files.
Data files
that are scattered randomly over the disk are read and
written
to
a
new
medium
without
the intervening spaces.
As a result, individual
files are closer together, and the space available for
new
files
is

consolidated
space between

1into
files

If the contents of
storage
capacity,

the original
available for
In

addition

tape

for

one
and

one disk
the new

disk,
use.

using

DSC

that

copy

can

renders

the

files

use

the

disk

from

data

Data

read

Data

written

operation

data

file

without

disk

DSC

the
output
garbled data

and

ends

with

form.
Copying files from disk to disk
that consists of two data transfers:

disk

to tape is generally not considered a complete
data is not usable on tape;
it must be copied
can gain access
to
it.
Therefore,
a
tape

considered

two-step

operation

that

consists

four

1l:

Data

is written

Step

read

from disk
to

tape

Data

read

Data

is written

does

not

support

Chapter 3 provides
effected by DSC.

1.2

data

transfers:

Step

DSC

1is

with

hardware

from disk

Copying files from disk
operation,
because the
back to disk before you
data

begins

allocated

unreadable.

The

process

space

compression

a read error, it copies the garbled
contents
to
and
generates
a warning message that labels the
The contents can then be accessed and corrected.

disk in compressed
one-step operation

block

for

recover

causing
device
block.

transfer

disks
to

storage

read

DSC

a portion of

contents

additional

cannot

data on a
a direct,

the

that

you

wasted

are transferred to a disk
with
a
larger
disk is constructed with the attributes of

except

storage,

malfunction

contiguous
area,
thereby eliminating
improving access efficiency.

INITIATING AND

from tape

disk

data

detailed

transfer

from

information

TERMINATING VAX-11l

To initiate DSCl or DSC2,
the system prompt ($).

enter

the

tape

each

tape.

type

data

transfer

command

line

following

DSC

appropriate

INTRODUCTION

To
to

invoke DSCl
the command

to execute a
interpreter,

$MCR DSCl
Similarly,

invoke DSC2,

then

return

control

directly

enter:

command-string

thus enter a
is executed,

To invoke
following

and

command-string

$MCR DSC2
You can
command

function
enter:

single command for execution:
DSC
and control returns to the command

DSC and
pass
control
to
commands, as appropriate:

it,

enter

is loaded, the
interpreter.

either

one

the

$ MCR DsCl
$ MCR DSC2
This
DSC

form of command does not execute a
available
for executing more than

control

the command interpreter.
with the prompt:

responds

function;
rather,
one function without

When

invoked

it
makes
returning

using

this

form,

command.

DSC

DSC>

This
To

all

prompt

indicates

terminate

DSC

1.3

DSC

commands

that

ready

and

return

control

been

completed,

the

command

enter

DSC

interpreter

after

(@w®rp2),

INITIATING AND TERMINATING STAND-ALONE DSC

1.3.1

Initiating

stand-alone

diagnostic
The

have

Section
1.3.1
presents
stand-alone DSC.
Section

The

DSC

version

DSC

the

Place

procedures
terminate

Return

the

bootstrapped

for
running
this version of

diskette

into

switch,

control

panel,

ON/OFF

switch,

the LSI-11l
DC

ON/OFF

into

memory

from

the

ZZ-ESZCC-AO.

procedure

AUTORESTART

the DC

cabinet

labeled

bootstrap

processor's
3.

Load the diagnostic
floppy drive.
Place

bootstrap
shows how

Stand—-Alone DSC

floppy diskette

stand-alone

the
1.3.2

located

follows:

the

VAX-11/780

1located

the ON

control
switch

panel,
the ON

the

console

central

position.
inside

the

the OFF

position.

VAX-11/780

position.

INTRODUCTION

This

procedure

program

from

displayed
CPU

initiates

the

diskette

the

system

indicated

console

HALTED,SOMM

restart

terminal:

and

the

1loads

following

the

console

message,

which

CLEAR,STEP=NONE,CLOCK=NORM

RAD=HEX ,ADD=PHYS,DAT=LONG,FILL=00,REL=00000000

INIT

SEQ

HALTED

DONE

00000000

(RELOADING WCS)
LOAD DONE, 00003200

VER:

PCS=01

BYTES LOADED
WCS=03-10 FPLA=03 CON=PX03-08

(AUTO-RESTART)
CPU

HALTED

INIT

SEQ

DONE

The console program in turn loads the stand-alone
software.
Loading
takes
approximately
1
minute
and 30 seconds.
At the completion of
loading, the console program displays the message:
LOAD

DONE,

VAX/VMS

00020000

DSC2,

BYTES

LOADED

VERSION A.l1

30-MAY-78

DSC>

The DSC2 utility program is now
command after the prompt DSC>.

1.3.2
You

Terminating

terminate

stand-alone

commands

that

The

procedure

The

halt

Stand-Alone

halt

the

After

When the prompt
carriage return

DSC

COMMAND

commands

can

enter

DSC

the

console

terminal

entering

follows:

>>> is
key.

enter

(Cm®Lp),

displayed,

displayed

after

type

the

HALT

processor

and

press

the

halted:

.eceeaee

This message shows you
the processor halted.

1.4

you

DSC

the prompt DSC>,

following message

and

processor.

HALTED

DSC

running,

are

the

contents

the

program

counter

the

time

FORMAT

entered

the

following

format:

outdev: [filelabel] [/qualifier]=indev:[filelabel]
[/qualifier]
outdev:
The

physical device(s)

which data

transferred.

The

format

of
outdev:
is
AAAn:
where AAA are the ASCII characters that
specify
the
device
abbreviation
followed
by
the
alphabetic
controller
designator,
n
is
the optional 1-digit (octal) unit
number, and the colon (:)
is the device name terminator.
If
the
controller

designator

omitted,

"A"

the

assumed

default;

INTRODUCTION

the device number is omitted, 0 is the assumed default.
If
you
list
more
than
one tape drive, the device names must appear in
succession, separated by commas, before
you
specify
any
other
command

parameters.

[filelabel]
The 1- to l2-character alphanumeric
name
identifying
the
tape
file
that
1is
created (output) in a disk-to-tape data transfer.
If a file label is not specified when a tape file is created from
disk,
the
disk
volume
1label
1is
used
as the identifier (see
Section 2.1).
When DSC copies from disk to
disk,
it
wuses
the
label
of
the
input
disk
as the label for the output disk and
ignores any label specified in the command string.

[/qualifier]
One or more of
through 2.8.

the

optional

qualifiers

described

indev:
The physical device(s) in the format AAAn:
from
copied (see outdev:
above, and Section 3.3).

in Sections

which

2.2

data

[filelabel]
The
1to
DSC-created

1l2-character
tape file that

alphabetic
name
identifying
is to be transferred (input) to

If the command string does not specify an
tape-to-disk operation, DSC transfers the
tape (see Section 2.1).

[/qualifier]
One or more of
through 2.8.
For

the

optional

qualifiers

input
first

described

file
file

label
found

the
disk.

for
a
on the

in Sections

2.2

example:

DSC>MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE/DENS=1600=DBA0:
In this example, DSC writes the contents of either an RP05 or an
RPO06
disk pack (DBAO) to two TE1l6 tape drives(MTAl and MTA2).
All the DBAO
disk files are stored in a single
tape
file
labeled
SYSFILE
at
a
density
of
1600
bits
per
inch.
Usually several tape volumes are
needed to hold the contents of one disk.
DSC generates and assigns
a
volume
1label to each tape reel by taking the first four characters of
the tape file label and appending two digits.
The volume labels (used
in
future
MOUNT
commands)
generated in this example are SYSFO0l and
SYSF02.

1.5

DSC

DEVICES

Table 1-1 lists the devices you can use with DSC when DSC
control of the VAX/VMS operating system.

under

the

INTRODUCTION

Table 1-1
Devices Used with DSC

Abbreviation

Type

Class

RKO06

RKO7

cartridge disk

Block-structured

RP05

RP06

disk

Block-structured

RMO3

disk

TE16

9-track

magnetic

RX01

console

floppy diskette

pack

Block-structured

tape

Tape
Block-structured

The stand-alone version of DSC supports only the mass
configurations shown in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2
Stand-Alone DSC-Supported

Abbreviation

storage

device

Devices

Type

Number

RKO6

RKO7

cartridge

disk

RP05

RP06

disk

RMO3

disk

TE16

9-track

magnetic

RX01

console

floppy diskette

pack

Supported

pack

tape

2
1

Note that all output devices used by DSC must be mounted foreign
(the
VAX/VMS
Command
Language
User's Guide, Part II, describes the MOUNT
command in detail).

CHAPTER
DSC

The DSC commands
Some
gqualifiers

and

uses of

Section 2.1
2.2 through

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND

OPTIONS

can optionally contain file
labels
can
also take options.
Table 2-1

the qualifiers

and

and
lists

qualifiers.
the formats

applicable options.

following the table discusses file
1labels,
and
2.8 discuss the individual qualifiers in detail.

DSC

Table 2-1
Qualifiers and
Format with
Option(s)

Qualifier
Rewind qualifier

/RW

Sections

Options

Description
Rewinds magnetic tapes
before execution of the
current command (Section
2.2)

Bad Block

qualifier

MAN
/BAD= < NOAUTO
MAN : NOAUTO

Allows
bad

manual

block

supplement

bad

entry

locations;

block

ignore

file

of
can
the

(Section

2.3)

Append qualifier

/AP

Appends a DSC file to a
magnetic tape that
already contains a whole
DSC

file

(Section

2.4)

Nonmerge Mode
qualifier

/NMG

Copies
data
from
disk
without consolidating
all extensions of a file
(Section 2.5)

Density
gualifier

/DENS=1600

Creates
at 1600

density
Compare gqualifier

/CMP

Compares

magnetic
tapes
bits per inch
(Section 2.6)

the

input

and

output devices for
differences (Section
2.7)

Verify

qualifier

/VE

Copies data from
input device and
performs

the

compare

operation after data
transfer (Section 2.8)

DSC FILE

2.1

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

LABEL

The file label identifies the data copied from a disk and stored on
a
set
of tape volumes (a tape set).
If you do not specify a file label
when the output medium for a DSC operation is magnetic tape, DSC
uses
the volume label of the input disk as the file label of the tape set.

The file label can consist of from 1- to
1l2-alphanumeric
characters.
DSC
uses
the
first
nine
characters
to
identify
the
tape
file
containing a disk's contents.
Place the file label after
the
device
specification
and before any qualifiers.
Terminate the file label by
specifying

For

either:

A qualifier

An equal sign (=),
the
command;
or
the command string

indicating the end of the output
side
of
a carriage return,
indicating the end of

example:

DSC>MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE=DBAl:

In this example, DSC uses the file label SYSFILE to identify the
on
tape
that contains the data to be copied from the specified
disk, DBAl.

file
input

The file label can optionally be used when restoring data to disk.
If
you
enter
the
file
1label
as
part of the input specification, DSC
searches the first tape for a file with the same name as the specified
file
1label.
When
it finds the file, DSC transfers it to disk.
If,

however, you do not specify a file label, DSC transfers the first file
it
1locates
on
the
first
tape.
In
both
cases, using the Rewind
qualifier (see Section 2.2) causes the
tape
to
be
rewound
to
its
beginning before
For

the

for

the

file

starts.

example:

DSC>DBAl
:=MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE

Because the Rewind qualifier is not specified on the input side of the
command
1line, DSC searches the first tape volume specified, MTAl, for
a DSC file named SYSFILE.
DSC
begins
the
search
at
the
current
position
of
the
tape.
If
DSC finds the header for SYSFILE in the
first volume, it makes the data transfer.
If it
does
not
find
the
header
on
the first volume, however, DSC issues an appropriate error
message and terminates the operation.
If
you
entered
the
command
without
the
file
1label,
DSC searches, from the current position of
MTAl, for the beginning of a DSC file and transfers the first file
of
disk
contents
it
1locates on tape drive MTAl, regardless of the file
name.
This file, being the first file encountered, may or may not
be
SYSFILE.
Similarly,
the tape may or may not have been positioned at
the beginning of the tape.
If the beginning of
&
DSC
file
1is
not
found, DSC issues an appropriate message and terminates the operation.

2.2

REWIND

QUALIFIER

The Rewind qualifier directs DSC to rewind the first magnetic tape
of
a tape set before performing any DSC operation.
Subsequent tapes must
be at the beginning-of-tape (BOT) position when DSC
calls
for
them.
The format of this qualifier is:
/RW

DSC

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

If you enter /RW as part of the input specification, DSC
rewinds
first
tape
before
the copy operation begins.
If you specify a
label with /RW, after
the
tape
1is
rewound
DSC
searches
for
specified
file
of
the
disk
from
the
beginning of the first
volume.
If you do
file
encountered

the
file

the
tape

transfers
the
first
tape of a multivolume
tape set has been copied, DSC rewinds it back to the BOT position
and
places it offline.
1If, however, the current file ends on the first or
only volume of a set, the tape is positioned ready to
read
the
next

file on

the

input

not specify a file label, DSC
on the first volume.
After a

tape.

If you enter /RW as part of the output specification, DSC
begins
the
copy
operation
by writing data at the beginning of the rewound tape.
Thus, starting at the beginning of the
tape,
DSC
overlays
whatever
data
was
contained
on
the
tape.
If you do not enter /RW with the
output specification, and the tape is not at load
point,
DSC
begins
writing
to
the
tape
following
the
1last
end-of-file
(EOF) block
encountered (see Section 2.4).
If the tape is at load point when
you
enter
the
command,
and
you are not specifying the Append qualifier
(see
Section
2.4),
the
tape
1is
overwritten
from
its
beginning
regardless
of
whether
you
specify
/RW.
If the current file being
copied extends beyond the first volume, that volume and all subsequent
volumes
of
the
set
are
rewound
and
unloaded as they are filled.
Otherwise, the tape is left-positioned to append another file
to
the
first
volume of the set.
If the end of the tape is sensed during the
search for the last EOF block, the current command is aborted and
DSC
issues an appropriate error message.
For

example:

DSC>MTAl :SYSFILE/RW=DBAl:
In

this

command,

DSC

rewinds

the

tape

drive

MTAl

its

beginning

before
it
writes
and
overlays any data contained on the tape.
The
contents of DBAl are written to a single file identified
as
SYSFILE.
DSC does not rewind the tape when the operation is finished unless the
file extends to another volume.
1If the file does
extend
to
another
volume,
DSC
including the

rewinds
and
unloads the tape.
Each subsequent volume,
last volume of
the
output
tape
set
1is
rewound
and

unloaded.

In the following example, DSC restores
created by a previous command:

disk

(DBAl)

wusing

tape

DSC>DBAl :=MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE/RW
DSC rewinds the first
tape
volume
(on
MTAl)
and
searches
previously
created
DSC
file labeled SYSFILE.
1If the file is
DSC transcribes it.
If the file is not found,
DSC
issues
an
message
and terminates the operation.
Each volume of the tape
rewound

and

unloaded

when

the

data

contains

has

been

for

a
found,
error
set is

copied.

2.3

BAD

BLOCK QUALIFIER

The Bad Block qualifier is
of bad block information.

used

This qualifier
output
disk's
ignore the bad

options that let you either supplement
the
file with manually entered bad block data,
altogether,
or
exclusively
use
manually

entered

bad

takes
bad
block

blocks.

three
block
file

with

output

disks

control

DSC's

use

The

formats

DSC

FILE

the

Bad

LABELS,

Block

QUALIFIERS,

qualifier

and

AND OPTIONS

its

options

are:

/BAD=MAN
/BAD=NOAUTO
/BAD=MAN
: NOAUTO

MAN

Allows manual entry of bad block
bad block file on the disk.

data,

which

included

1in

the

NOAUTO

Causes DSC to ignore
resulting in an empty
MAN :NOAUTO
Causes

bad
The

Bad

which
the
or

DSC

block

treat

left

only

bad
block

manually

after

you

run

way

the

factory-recorded bad block
RMO3
disk
packs.
If you

does

not

block
file.

descriptor

entered

bad

block

the

data

disk,

the

file.

Block- qualifier

the
bad

destroy,

the

bad

affects

BAD

the

utility

information on
use the NOAUTO

block

file

bad

and

block

RKO6 or
option,

(to

descriptor,

INITIALIZE

commands

RK0O7
cartridges
DSC ignores, but

which

bad

blocks

are

allocated).
As
a
result,
you
can
access
the
bad block file in
subsequent DSC operations.
When you specify
the
MAN
or
MAN:NOAUTO
options with /BAD=, DSC responds with the following prompt:
DSC>BAD=

DSC issues this prompt
transfers the data.
After

DSC

issues

blocks.

Enter

shown

the

bad

the

after

prompt,

block

following

data

accepts

you

can

the

command

enter

immediately

the

line

but

1locations

following

before

bad

equal

sign

(=)

bad

block

the

group.

vyou

the

format:

DSC>BAD=n{,m]

The

logical

block

number

(LBN)

the

initial

group

The number of consecutive
omit this number, a value

blocks contained
of 1 is assumed.

NOTE

A value is interpreted
unless
a
decimal
immediately
following

as an
point
the

octal value
1is
©placed
rightmost

digit.

After you
prompt.

enter the first group of bad blocks, DSC reissues
At
this
point
you
can
enter
additional
bad
repeating the above procedure.

To
terminate
manual
immediately following

bad
block
entry,
the equal sign (=).

enter

carriage

the
BAD=
blocks by

return

DSC

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND

OPTIONS

When all the bad blocks are entered, and the manual
terminated, DSC begins the data transfer.
For

entry

process

example:

DSC>DBAl : /BAD=MAN :NOAUTO=MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE/RW
DSC>BAD=702.,7.
DSC>BAD=644.,2.
DSC>BAD=4057,
DSC>BAD=

DSC>

DSC restores the
output
disk,
DBAl,
contained
on
MTAl
and MTA2, using as

from
the
bad block

tape
file
descriptors

SYSFILE
only the

blocks entered above.
allocated to them:

following

blocks

702.
703.
704.
705.
706.

result,

have

data

707.
710.
644.
645.
4057.

Compare the above example with the
data
to the lowest LBNs on device

the

resident

bad

block

following example, which
transfers
DBAl, regardless of the contents of

file:

DSC>DBAl: /BAD=NOAUTO=DBO :

NOTE

The bad block descriptor contained on
a
disk
used with any of the /BAD= options
is not overlaid
or
destroyed;
it
is
either
supplemented
(/BAD=MAN)
or
ignored
(/BAD=NOAUTO,
/BAD=MAN :NOAUTO) .
The
resident
bad
block descriptor, if
ignored during a DSC operation,
can
be
accessed
when
another DSC operation is
performed on the disk.

If DSC
must
be
diagnostic
bad
blocks

The

provided
manually
with
manufacturer-furnished
block information, this information must identify

or
bad

LBNs.

manufacturer-furnished

diagnostic

bad

block

information

usually

identifies
bad
blocks
by
physical address (sector-track-cylinder).
When this information
1is
entered
manually
for
DSC,
the
physical
addresses are converted to LBNs by using the following formula:
LBN=((cylinder number*tracks/cylinder)+track number) *sectors/track+sector number

For example, a bad
sectors per track)

Cylinder
Track

Sector

sector on an RP06 (19 tracks
has the physical address:

number

536

(octal),

350.
14.

(octal),

11.

per

<cylinder

and

DSC

The

LBN

FILE

calculated

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

follows:

LBN=((350.%*%19.)+14.)%*22.,+11.=146619.
Bad block
information
stand-alone
diagnostic
Utility (BAD).

1is
obtained
program
or

by
by

running
the
Field
using
the Bad Block

Service
Locator

The Field Service stand-alone diagnostic program reads every word in a
block.
Associated
bad-block
messages
are
printed
at the console
terminal.
The use of this diagnostic is
recommended
for
users
who
want
more
comprehensive
testing of a storage device.
The output is
the physical address of each
bad
block;
this
address
1is
in
LBN
format.
The
For

BAD utility automatically supplies LBNs of
information on the BAD utility, see VAX/VMS

2.4

bad
blocks
for
Operator's Guide.

DSC.

APPEND QUALIFIER

The Append qualifier directs DSC to begin writing a file to the
first
specified
volume
of a tape set that contains only entire DSC-created
files.
The format of this qualifier is:

/AP
If more than one DSC-created file exists on the first volume, and
the
last
file
extends
to
other volumes, DSC terminates the command and
displays an appropriate error message.
Enter
/AP
as
part
of
the
output
specification.
Specify
the
volume to which files are to be
appended as the first volume of the output side of the command string,
as follows:

outdev:[filelabel]
/AP=indev: [filelabel] [/qualifier]
In the output specification,
/AP
causes
DSC
to
search
the
first
specified
tape
output
volume
for the last logical EOF created by a
previous DSC command.
If the last DSC-created file does
not
end
on
that
volume,
DSC
terminates
the operation and issues the following
error

message:

OUTPUT TAPE device:

full

If the first specified tape
output
volume
1is
found
portion of a DSC file that begins on a previous volume,
the operation and issues the following error message:
TAPE

AAAn:

If DSC locates
tape
volume,
error

CONTINUATION

on the tape the
DSC
terminates

example

the Append

contain
a
terminates

TAPE

end of a file that
the operation and

message:

OUTPUT TAPE device:

to
DSC

NOT ONLY REEL
qualifier

follows:

DSC>MTAl: ,MT:SYSFILE/RW/AP=DBAl:

SET

begins
on
another
issues the following

DSC

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

In this example, DSC appends the contents of
DBAl
to
a
DSC-created
tape
already on the first output device specified, MTAl.
Before this
can happen, however, MTAl is rewound and searched
for
the
1last
EOF
block

the

tape.

When

determined

that

existed on the tape volume on MTAl, DSC appends
to
the
file or files already on the tape.
If
extend to additional volumes.

only whole

DSC

files

the new file, SYSFILE,
necessary, SYSFILE can

NOTE

Use /AP only with output
tape
devices.
Specifying
/AP
in
any other situation
results
1in
an
error
message
and
termination of the command.

2.5

NONMERGE MODE QUALIFIER

The

Nonmerge

Mode

specification
to
transcribing data

qualifier

1is

entered

part

the

output

override
the
default
merge mode of accessing
files.
The format of this qualifier is:

and

/NMG

When the input device in a DSC command
1is
a
disk,
you
can
select
either the merge or nonmerge mode of transferring files from the disk.
When the
input
device
1is
a
tape,
meaningless
because
the current copy

specified when
If

you

select

the

tape was

nonmerge

mode,

specifying
to disk is

this
qualifier
is
executed in the mode

created.
specify

/NMG

part

the

output

description.
In nonmerge mode, DSC accesses each header in the index
file in file number order.
Then DSC writes the header and the
blocks
mapped
by its retrieval pointers in virtual block number order to the
output device.
DSC does not distinguish between primary and extension
file
headers.
Thus, the linkage between the sections of a large file
does not change because files are linked
by
file
number,
and
file
numbers
remain
the
same
before and after a nonmerge mode transfer.
The retrieval pointers in the output headers are
updated
to
reflect

the
logical
pointers are

blocks
occupied
on the new output disk.
collapsed;
that is, because DSC writes to

The retrieval
large
numbers

of contiguous blocks, the number of retrieval pointers required
these blocks on the new disk is reduced, and fewer pointers are
DSC transfers data in merge mode by default;
you need
qualifier.
Initially, DSC accesses the first primary

not
file

to map
used.

specify
a
header and

writes the blocks mapped by
its
retrieval
pointers
to
the
output
device.
DSC
then
follows the linkage in the file header and checks
for extension file headers pointed to by the primary file header.
If
extension
headers
exist,
DSC
accesses and transcribes them and the
blocks they map until all extensions of the complete file are
written
to

the

output

medium.

transcribed does DSC
file.

Only when

access

the

all

extensions

next primary file header

file

have

the

been

index

When file extensions are transcribed in merge mode,
DSC
updates
the
output
retrieval
pointers and file linkages involved in the transfer
as required.
This
wupdate
not
only
involves
collapsing
retrieval
pointers
but
may
also
reduce the number of file extensions that is
required if enough retrieval pointers are eliminated.

DSC FILE LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

As a result of
a
merge
mode
copy,
each
primary
file
header
is
immediately
followed
by
all extensions associated with it.
Because
DSC writes data to contiguous blocks whenever possible, disks
created
by
a
merge
mode operation have complete files written to contiguous
blocks.
Data blocks are
grouped
together
in
the
1lowest
numbered
blocks on the disk.

When disks are created in nonmerge mode, DSC writes data to the lowest
numbered
blocks
on
the
disk.
Files
and their extensions are not
concatenated;
they are written in the original file number order.
An example of a nonmerge mode operation

is:

DSC>MTAl: ,MTA2:SYSFILE/RW/NMG=DBAl:
DSC writes the contents of the disk
DBAl
in
beginning of the tapes in the output set MTAl

nonmerge
and MTA2.

mode
to
the
Although data

compression occurs when DSC restores a disk from this tape
set,
extensions do not necessarily occupy contiguous data blocks.

An example of

a merge

mode

operation

file

is:

DSC>DBA2:=DBAl:

DSC transcribes all the files on DBAl to DBA2.
DSC first concatenates
files
and
associated
file
extensions
and then writes the complete
files contiguously to the lowest
numbered
blocks
available
on
the
disk.

2.6

DENSITY

QUALIFIER

The Density qualifier overrides the default storage
density
on
TEl6
tape
drives, changing the density from 800 bits per inch to 1600 bits
per inch.
The format of this qualifier is:
/DENS=1600

The TE16 tape unit automatically reads tapes at the density
at
which
they
were
written,
ignoring
a
density qualifier specified at read
time.
Mixed densities cannot be specified for
multiple
files
being
transferred

the

same

tape.

The Density qualifier directs

the TE1l6 drive

to operate as

output

device
at
a
density
of 1600 bits per inch.
Any DSC operation that
writes tapes at 1600 bits per inch must start at BOT.
Hence,
1if
you
specify
both
/AP
and /DENS=1600 within the same command string, DSC
ignores

/DENS=1600,

The following example

illustrates the use of the Density qualifier:

DSC>MTAl:,MTA2:SYSFILE/RW/DENS=1600=DBAl:

The tapes created in this example,
bits

per

inch.

MTAl

and MTA2,

are written at

NOTE

If you
specify
the
Density
qualifier
with
a
disk
device,
DSC
halts
the
operation and issues an error message.

1600

DSC

2.7

COMPARE

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

QUALIFIER

The Compare qualifier directs DSC
to
compare
the
contents
of
two
disks,
a
disk and a tape set, or a tape set and a disk.
You can use
the Compare qualifier with multivolume tapes, but not with multivolume
disks.
The format of this qualifier is:

/CMP
When DSC detects the end-of-volume (EOV) or
EOF
on
other
than
the
first reel of a set while comparing multivolume tapes, /CMP causes DSC
to rewind and unload the current volume.
The compare
operation
then

resumes with
To

compare

the

contents,

specification;

volume
you

copying

the

set.

can

enter

involved.

/CMP

For

part

the

output

example:

outdev: [filelabel]/CMP=indev:
[filelabel] [/qualifier]
If you specify /CMP and the devices differ in content, DSC produces
a
warning
listing
the
output
device,
file
identification,
and the
virtual block number (VBN), and then continues the compare operation.

NOTE

An operation involving /CMP and magnetic
tape
input
begins
by
positioning the
first volume of
the
tape
set
to
the
specified
or implied file, as described

in
Section
2.2.
If
the
tape
set
consists
of
a single volume, that reel
is positioned at the end of the
current
file
when
the
compare operation ends.
For multivolume sets, each reel
of
the
set
1is
rewound
and
unloaded
as
the
operation
on
it
1is
completed.
The
operation

volume

2.8

then

the

resumes

using

the

set.

VERIFY QUALIFIER

The Verify qualifier directs DSC to perform a copy operation and
then
compare (verify) the contents of both devices.
The verify pass occurs
after the copy operation for each volume is complete.
The
format
of
this qualifier is:
/VE

)
f

To perform both copy and compare
output device specification:

operations,

enter

/VE

part

the

outdev: [filelabel]/VE=indev:[filelabel]
[/qualifier]
If you do not identify a file in a multivolume tape
set,
/VE
causes
DSC
to begin copying the first tape of the set.
When DSC detects the
EOF, it repositions the input device (indev:) to the beginning of
the
file and begins the verify pass.

When

/VE
the

DSC

detects

causes ;the
current file
i

the

EOV

EOF

other

tape to be rewound and
before verification.

than

the

searched

first

for

reel

set,

the beginning

DSC

FILE

LABELS,

QUALIFIERS,

AND OPTIONS

When DSC detects the EOV or EOF on other than the first reel of a
set
during
the verify pass, /VE causes DSC to rewind and unload the tape.
The copy operation then resumes using the next reel.

NOTE

/VE first
performs
a
copy
operation.
The
media
are
then
repositioned
to
enable the verify pass.
If
a
tape
is
specified
as
one
of
the media, extra
time
is
required
after
the
copy
operation
to
allow
the
tape
to
be
rewound and
searched
for
the
current
file.

CHAPTER
DSC

As mentioned

in Chapter

either

tape

two

and

four

from tape

OPERATION

DSC'S

data

disk

data

transfer

transfers.

process

Transferring

two-step operation

consists

data

from disk

to
data

involving

four

one-step

operation

transfers.

Step 1:
e

Data

is written

Step

from disk
to

Data

is written

involving

tape

Transferring

read

data

only

The following
transfers.

3.1

read

from

tape

to disk

from disk

the

first

sections

and

disk

fourth

describe

direct,

data

how DSC

transfers
effects

listed

each

above.

the

four

data

DATA TRANSFER FROM DISK

After

you

enter

the

DSC

command

specifying

disk

copy

operation,

DSC

begins
the data transfer by scanning the input disk to ensure that it
is in Files-11 format.
DSC begins transcribing data by
copying
part
of
the
disk index file.
Because this file is updated to reflect the
status and location of blocks as they are allocated on the
new
disk,
the
1index
file
bit map, the storage bit map file, and the bad block
file are not transcribed
exactly;
DSC
transcribes
only
the
data
necessary

for

constructing

these

files

the

new

disk.

If the transfer is in merge mode, DSC accesses the index file's
index
of
active
file
headers in numerical order to locate the next active
prime file header.
DSC then transfers
that
header,
the
blocks
it
maps, and all extension headers and related blocks included as part of
that file to the output medium before
it
accesses
the
next
active
prime
file header from the index file.
DSC continues this operation,
each time writing a complete file, until it has
transferred
all
the
active files.
In

nonmerge

mode,

DSC

treats

both

prime

file

headers

and

file
headers as if they map all the blocks in the file.
consolidate and transcribe the related file extensions as
in merge mode,

but

individually

index

number

order.

extension

DSC does
a
unit,

not
as

DSC

OPERATION

DSC accesses and transcribes only blocks allocated
to
active
files.
Unallocated
blocks
and
blocks
1in
the bad block file, all formerly
interspersed throughout the input disk, are ignored.
DSC
transcribes
only
the
contents of blocks allocated to active files.
This results
in contiguous data blocks on the output disk unless
the
output
disk
itself

has

bad

blocks.

If, during the copy operation, DSC accesses a file that
contains
bad
data
written on a block that is not listed in the bad block file, DSC
transcribes whatever it reads from the block.
When DSC
restores
the
file
to
disk,
it
writes the block's contents as it originally read
them.
The logical block still contains
garbled
data,
but
the
new
physical
block
can be accessed and its contents corrected.
An error
message identifying these areas is displayed on the console.
In

summary,

from a

DSC performs

the

following

three

actions when

reading data

disk:

Verifies that the disk is online, correctly
identified,
in Files-11 Structure Level 1 or Structure Level 2 format

Transcribes

Reads

disk

index

and

files

the data

NOTE

You can specify only
one
disk
as
the
input device in any one DSC operation.

3.2

DATA TRANSFER TO TAPE

When you specify a magnetic tape drive as the output device in
a
operation,
DSC writes the data contents of the input disk to the
on the drive.
This data transfer usually involves more than one
of tape, and may use more than one tape drive.

DSC
tape
reel

Tapes created by DSC serve as a back-up
of
the
disk
contents,
but
cannot
be
used by themselves.
You can only use DSC tapes by copying
them back to a disk, which restores
the
disk.
Although
the
tapes
contain
many
individual
data
files
that are copied from the input
disk, DSC treats the tapes as though they contain a single file -- the
file of the disk's contents.
In copying the disk's contents to tape, DSC may transfer data to
more
than
one
tape.
The first data block DSC writes to tape is a header
containing the volume name (obtained from
the
file
1label)
and
the
relative
volume
number.
This header identifies the tape volume set
and the volume's
place
within
that
set,
ensuring
that
when
DSC
restores the disk, it loads the set of tapes in order.
Subsequent
contents
of
the
tapes
reconstruct
disk
directory
files,
data files copied from the disk.

include
the
data
regquired
to
maps and pointers, and the actual

To initiate the tape creation process, you should ensure that the tape
devices are online and correctly identified.
You can specify multiple
online tape drives in the following format:
DSC>AAAnNn: ,AAAn: ,AAAn: ,AAAn:filelabel=AAAn:

DSC OPERATION

For

example:

DSC>MTAQ: ,MTBl: ,MTA4: ,MTB2:SYSFILE=DBAl:

You

have the option of entering a file label after specifying the last
device.
You can specify up to eight drives per command;
however, you

can specify an individual tape drive only once.l

If the number of tape volumes required
exceeds
the
number
of
tape
drives
available,
DSC lets you replace tapes on the specified drives
in round-robin fashion.
Using
the
above
example,
the
replacement
sequence

would

MTAQ
This

be:

MTB1

MTA4

sequence would

In summary,
to magnetic
1.

followed

DSC performs
tape:

Verifies

write
2.,

that

MTB2

the

MTAOQO
until

the

following

first

MTB1
data

four

only

MTA4
transfer

MTB2
is

...

complete.

actions when writing

volume

set

data

online

and

are

BOT,

enabled

Verifies

online

that subsequent volumes of
when required, and correctly

Writes

the

Accesses

tape set
identified

data

tapes

round-robin

order

NOTE

The

input

device

tape qualifiers
/RW
/AP
/CMP

must

disk.

/NMG
/VE

In addition,
you
<can
specify
a
label
for
a
tape.
See Chapter
more information on qualifiers and
labels.

3.3

Valid

are:

file
for
file

DATA TRANSFER FROM TAPE

DSC can only use the tapes it creates to 1) reconstruct a disk
or
2)
perform
compare
and verify operations.
When you mount the tapes and
specify the
tape
drives
as
the
input
devices,
DSC
segquentially
accesses
and
writes
the
tape
contents
to the output disk.
As it
transfers the data, DSC creates and updates the directory files.
Tape drives
identified.

specified as input devices must be
online
The
tape volumes must be specified so as

correct

and
correctly
to be accessed

the

order.

Ssee section 1.5 for stand-alone DSC-supported devices.

DSC OPERATION

summary,

DSC

from magnetic

performs

the

following

four

actions

when

reading

data

tape:

Verifies that
identified

Accesses

Creates

Reads

tape

the

tape

volumes

directory

and

correctly

files.

data.

NOTE

DSC

overlays

contained

the

any

data

specified

originally

output

disk.

Use the Nonmerge Mode gqualifier with
an
output
disk
only when the input device
is also a disk.
Use
the
options
to
the
Bad
Block
qualifier
to override or supplement bad
block data on the output disk.

the

data

bad
block
no bad block
specified.

identified.

contain

CHAPTER
DSC

MESSAGES

DSC notifies you not only of error conditions, but of conditions
that
could cause difficulties in DSC operations.
Each message displayed by

DSC has
numeric

the prefix DSC--,
code.

and

each

message

1is

identified

its

The DSC-- prefix is usually followed by the word *WARNING* or
*FATAL*
to
1let
you
know
what
type
of
condition
has occurred.
When DSC
displays
a
warning' message,
it
continues
executing
the
current
operation.
When
DSC
displays
a
fatal
message, it terminates the
current operation, and issues a prompt for a new
command
line.
DSC
also
1issues
messages
that
are
neither warning nor fatal messages;
they are instructions that you must follow so that
DSC
can
continue
the current operation.
DSC messages
short
form.

are displayed at the
VAX-11l DSC displays

displays

short

the

example

The

same

form.

a VAX-1l

DSC--*FATAL*
message

DSC--*FATAL*

console in either a long form
or
a
the long form, while stand-alone DSC
.

DSC

message

UNDEFINED

ERROR

displayed

follows:

Stand-Alone

DSC

appears

as:

Section 4.1 lists all DSC messages according
DSC errors that are identified as I/O errors
more of the messages listed
reference
to
the meanings
the

error

messages,

messages.

referred

in
of
to

to
their
numeric
code.
are accompanied by one or
Section 4.2.
Table
4-1
is
a
quick
the single letter codes used in some of
as

general

error

messages,

and

the

I/0

DSC

General

Code
Code
Code
Code
Code
Code

Error

Message

Error

Message

DSC MESSAGES:

Failed

read

data out of phase
Nondata block encountered

Input file out of phase
File attributes out of phase
File header out of phase

Reading index file bit map
Reading index file header
Reading storage bit map
Reading boot or home block
Reading file header
Input

(or

output

device)

Writing index file bit map
Writing storage bit map header
Reading input device
In input tape labels
Reading file attributes
Reading file header
Reading index file data
Reading summary data
Writing file header

TEXT,

unidentifiable

CONFLICTING DEV,

illegal

Check
sure

side

EXPLANATION,

internal

AND CORRECTIVE ACTION

error

was

for typographical
that
disks
and

MIXED TAPE

Reenter

encountered.

the

error

submit

recurs,

TYPES

combination

the command

device

types

errors
in
tape drives

was

device
are not

specified.
abbreviations;
make
specified on the same

string.

TYPES

Two different
string.

storage map header

Input

First, retry the
operation.
If
Software Performance Report (SPR).

Codes

UNDEFINED ERROR

Message

Meaning

OZErRUFHIOPMENDOD
P

I/0

4.1

4-1
Error

Symbol

General

Table
and I/O

DO OQW>

Type
Code

Error

MESSAGES

the

types

command

tape

drive

specifying

were

specified

only

the

with

magnetic

tape

the

command

drive.

ILLEGAL SWITCH
The command
used.

string

Reenter

command

the

was

entered

with

all

qualifier

qualifiers

correctly

that

cannot

specified.

DSC MESSAGES

FILE

LABEL

TOO

file

label

Correct

the

error

Check

DUP.

the

DEV.

file

label,

the

command

Reenter

command,

and

device was

the

and

than 12

retry

string

the

side.

reenter

DEV.

device:

Check

the

string,
DEV.

command

than

specifying

devices were

command,

NOT

device

and

each

correct

order.

only

the

command

once.

on one

side

than

eight

no more

the

command

devices

per

SYSTEM

identifier

the

that

the

was

configuration

entered

the

command

command.

NOT FILES-11

specified

input

device

Check the input device
reenter the command.

not

ensure

formatted
it

1is

the

Files-1l1

one

device.

desired,

and

BAD BLOCK SYNTAX ERROR
A

syntax

Check

error

the

occurred

command

that

when

was

bad

block

entered,

data

and

was

reenter

entered

manually.

correctly.

BAD BLOCK COUNT TOO LARGE
Too many bad

blocks

were

manually entered

Check the blocks being entered.
If possible,
groups instead of one large group.
13

the

once

device

specified

specifying

reenter

device:

The

occurred.

the

The specified device is not present
operating system being used.

specified.

TOO MANY DEV'S

Reenter

characters was

operation.

format

specified

command,

More than eight
string.

NAME

The same
string.

consisting

SYNTAX ERROR

LONG

single

enter

group.

several

small

did

not

exist

reenter

them

BAD BLOCK CLUSTER OUT OF RANGE
A

manually

the

entered

output

Check the
correctly.

bad

block

the

group

bad

blocks

disk.

numbers

blocks

entered,

and

DSC

14 OUTPUT TAPE ON device:

MESSAGES

NOT AT BOT

The specified continuation tape was not at load point.
Remount or

reset the tape at load point,

15 OUTPUT TAPE device:

the

illegal

command,

16 OUTPUT TAPE device:
An

full;
and

data cannot be appended

change

the output

TAPE

AAAn:

append operation was

NOT ANSI

If AAAn is an

input

for a DSC operation.

18 OUTPUT TAPE device:

illegal

created

TAPE

the
Append
tapes.

qualifier

tape,

1illegal

tape,

the

tape

append

operation

was

the
Append
tapes.

is not

the

Check the tape and change

IS NOT A DSC

append operation was

qualifier

correct

format

if necessary.

TAPE

attempted

to a

tape that was

not

the command,

and either

omit

the

Append

gqualifier

tapes.

AAAn:

A CONTINUATION

If AAAn is an
output
attempted.
You
can
volume

tape.

by DSC.

Reenter
change

it.

attempted.

Reenter the command, and either
omit
write to the specified tape or change
If AAAn

FORMAT

output

specified.

the command.

NOT ONLY REEL IN SET

Reenter the command, and either
omit
write to the specified tape or change
17

reenter

FULL

The specified tape
Reenter

and

tape

TAPE

tape,
an
1illegal
append
operation
was
use the Append qualifier only on the first

set.

Reenter

the command,

If AAAn

is an

Reenter

the command,

and change

input tape,

the

the output tape.

tape was mounted out of

and specify the

input tapes

sequence.

the

correct

order.
20

UNUSED

FAILED TO FIND HOME BLOCK device:

A read error occurred during an attempt to copy
from
the
input
disk.
Either the disk is bad, the home block is bad, or the disk
is

not

in Files-11

Check the disk
reenter

the

format.

in question,

command.

change disk drives

possible,

and

DSC

FILE

STRUCTURE

The

specified

specified
Replace

DSC

volume

the

device:

NOT

utility program

did

device,

not
and

SUPPORTED

and

the

structure

level

the

message,

explaining

why

message,

indicating

that

agree.
retry

the

operation.

I/0 ERROR A ON device:
One
the

or more messages will accompany this
specified file could not be read.

Retry
24

LEVEL

MESSAGES

the

operation.

I/0 ERROR B ON device:
One

messages

will

accompany

this

an
I/O
error occurred and explaining why the file header
device could not be read.
The specified file was lost.
Retry the operation
the device.
25

The

file

header

The

disk

the

cause

the

could

not

error

for

the

unusable

storage

and

bit

therefore

map.file
cannot

read.

copied.

I/0 ERROR C ON device:
or

an
I/O
file.
Retry

messages

error

the

will

accompany

occurred

during

this

message,

this

message,

attempt

explaining

read

the

that

specified

operation.

I/0 ERROR D ON device:
A diagnostic
a

correcting

the

CODE A

One

after

read

block

Retry

the

RELATIVE

The

message

error

the

operation

VOLUME

the

tape

tape,

on
SET

and

UNUSED

I/0 ERROR E ON device:
One

messages

an
I/O
error
file header.
Retry

the

accompany

during

attempt

read

indicating
the

name

that

boot

explaining

that

disk.

specified

Mount

will

occurred

NOT

not

file
will

drive.

MOUNTED

reenter

occurred

operation.

new

the
the

system.
command.

id
accompany

this

during

attempt

message,

read

the

specified

DSC MESSAGES

file id file number NOT PRESENT

INPUT DEVICE device:

The specified file did not have a file header in the index
the

file was not copied.

This

is a warning only.

If desired,

on a different disk drive.

file;

the operation can be retried

file id file number IS DELETED

INPUT DEVICE device:

The specified file was found to be partially deleted on the input
disk and was not copied.

This is a warning only.
34

INPUT DEVICE device:

No action is required.

file id UNSUPPORTED STRUCTURE LEVEL

The file's structure level recorded in the file
header
did
not
match
the
volume's
structure
level.
This
inconsistency
1is
probably due to a garbled file header.
The
35

specified

file was

INPUT DEVICE device:

lost.

file

id,

file number,

FILE NUMBER CHECK

An incorrect file header was read from disk causing the specified
file

Retry
36

the

lost.

operation.

INPUT DEVICE device:

file id,

file

number

FILE

HEADER

CHECKSUM

ERROR

Incorrect file header contents caused the specified

file

lost.

Retry the operation.
37

file id, SEQUENCE NUMBER CHECK

INPUT DEVICE device:

The sequence number was incorrect.

Retry the operation, and/or replace the disk.
38

INPUT DEVICE device,

file id,

file number SEGMENT NUMBER CHECK

The linkage connecting file segments was broken;
file was

the

specified

lost.

Retry the operation.
39

DIRECTIVE ERROR

An internal error

occurred,

overload.

Retry the operation.

usually

the

result

system

DSC MESSAGES

I/0 ERROR F ON device:
One
the

more messages will
specified
input
or

accompany

output

this

message,

device may

indicating

subsequently

that

cause

error.

This message is a warning only.
No
action
1is
required
unless
another
error message is displayed.
If another error message is
displayed, correct
the
cause
of
the
error
and
reenter
the
command.
41

I/0 ERROR I

ON device:

One

an
the

I/O error
specified

file

messages

will

VERIFICATION
This

did

file number,

accompany

this

occurred which resulted
virtual block number on

This is a warning message
examined to determine the
42

id,

ERROR ON

is a warning
not match.

virtual

message,

indicating

that

from

only.
The block
specified
extent of the error.
file

id,

virtual

signifying

that

the

input

file

1id,

file

block
and

error occurred during an attempt
to
from
disk.
The
block
specified

contains

erroneous

MOUNT REEL

This

devices

virtual

Mount

and
45

the

enter

block

copy
the
block's
on the output disk

data.

x ON device:

number

output

number,

A parity
contents

should

When the copy operation is completed, the data contained
specified block should be examined and corrected.

number

in bad data being read
the indicated device.

device:

BAD DATA BLOCK ON device:
number

block

1in

the

AND HIT RETURN

instruction only.
volume

number

carriage

requested

return when

the

specified

tape

drive,

ready.

STARTING VERIFY PASS
This is simply
complete
and

message
1is

DSC

informing you that the copy operation is
1initiating
the
verify
pass
(/VE
was

specified).
46

RESUME

COPYING

This is simply
complete
(/VE
operation.
47

device:
The

tape

write
Make

and

IS WRITE
on

enable

sure
enter

the

a message informing you that the
verify
was
specified)
and
DSC
1is continuing

LOCKED.
specified

ring

INSERT WRITE
tape

drive

RING AND HIT
cannot

pass
is
the copy

RETURN

written

until

inserted.

the tape is the one
a carriage return.

you

want,

insert

the

write

ring,

DSC MESSAGES

WILL BE RESYNCHRONIZED

INPUT FILE ON device:

input
The tape position was lost during an attempt to read the
as well as some
in the message,
specified
The file
tape.
Additional errors will probably
subsequent files, may be lost.
occur.

Retry the operation from the beginning.
49

FULL

OUTPUT DEVICE device:

the data
and cannot accommodate
The specified device is full
This may mean that more data than
following the specified file.
input
anticipated was transferred due to an inconsistency in the
tapes.

Reenter the command,
50

using a larger output disk.

OUTPUT FILE HEADER FULL ON device:

Too many blocks on the output disk have caused inconsistencies in
file header data.

The specified file was lost.

Retry the operation with a different output disk.
51

OUTPUT FILE HEADER ON device:

NOT MAPPED -- file id, file number

Space for the specified file header was not allocated.

was

Retry the operation;
52

file

The

lost.

a new disk may be required.

I/0 ERROR G ON device:

One or more messages will accompany this message, indicating that
an I/0 error occurred during an attempt to write the specified
file.

Retry the operation.
53

FAILED TO READ FILE EXTENSION HEADER

device:

file

1id,

number

During an attempt to copy data from the input disk, an extension
The remainder of the
but not found.
for,
was searched
header
input
the
A problem may exist with
specified file was lost.
disk, or a previous I/0O error may have caused an inconsistency.
Retry the operation,
54

FAILED TO ALLOCATE HOME BLOCK device:

The home block could not be created on the specified disk
because it has too many bad blocks.

device

Replace the device, and reenter the command.
55

INDEX FILE ALLOCATION FAILURE device:

Too many bad
specified

blocks

exist

allow

the

file.

Replace the disk,

and reenter the command.

allocation

for

the

DSC

OUTPUT DISK

device:

Logical

block

This

INVALID

The

number

warning

BAD

bad

IS NOT

BLOCK

block

DATA

data

BAD

BLOCK

Too

FILE

many

Replace
59

BAD

FULL

bad

the

BLOCK

specified

action

the

output

disk,

exist

and

reenter

FOUND

device:

the

output

the

block

data

exists

for

bad

block

data

desi red,

BAD

reenter

OUTPUT DEVICE

The

command

device:

specified

not

program

the

tape

enter

bad

CODE

new

output

B ON device:

CODE

the

using

the

specified

disk,
a

new

output

disk

pack

disk,

file

and

id,

diagnostic

reenter

file

the

number,

the e rror.
If
anoth er tape.

id,

CODE

D ON

the

tape

device:

NOT

retry

th e

file

id,

file

position
was
tape.
All of

Retry

entire

number,

VBN;

and

read

found

the

try

virtual

the

tape

VBN
attempt

virtual

expected

read
the
block number

different

found

lost
during
an
attempt
to
"y" and some of "x" were lost.

operation.

IT!
cannot

expected

necessary,

operation

number,

USE

command.

was lost during an
Data
beyond
the

The tape
specified
the

file

Otherwise,
block data,

disk.
DO

The position of the tape
data
file
specified.
specified was lost.
Recreate
drive.

data,

disk.

ignore the message.
manually enter bad

IS A DIAGNOSTIC PACK.

extent of
or create

device:

block

command.

The tape position was lost during an attempt to
block number specified.
Some data may be lost.
Determine the
another drive

bad.

disk.

used.
Mount

invalid.

the disk, manually
using a new disk.

bad

the

required.

disk

run

disk

device:

blocks

DATA

the

device:

Run the BAD utility on
or reenter the command
58

BOOTABLE

only.

MESSAGES

tape

y
read

the

DSC MESSAGES

FAILED TO MAP OUTPUT FILE ON device:

file id, file number

the
inconsistency occurred during an attempt to write
An
The file header did not
specified file to the output disk.
specify the correct number of virtual blocks required to write
the file and the file was lost.

Retry the operation.
65

IS TOO SMALL -- nn BLOCKS NEEDED

OUTPUT DISK device:

The output disk is not large enough to accommodate the data to be
transferred.

Retry the operation specifying a larger output disk.
66

I/0 ERROR C ON device:

One or more messages will accompany this message, explaining that
an I/0 error occurred during an attempt to read the specified
file.

Retry the operation.
67

I/0 ERROR H ON device:

One or more messages will accompany this message, explaining that
occurred during an attempt to write the specified
an I/O error
file.

Retry the operation.
68

I/0 ERROR J ON device:

One or more messages will accompany this message, explaining that
an I/0O error occurred during an attempt to read the tape labels
on the specified device.

Retry the operation on a different tape drive.
69

INPUT TAPE ON device:

MUST BE AT BOT

or
The specified tape must be at the beginning of the tape (BOT)
1is also displayed during a
This message
load point.
1its
at
verify operation to indicate that the current volume is rewinding
to enable the verify pass.

tape

If /VE was not specified, check the

and

remount

1load

point.
70

WRONG INPUT TAPE ON device:

EXPECTING file id FOUND file id

The input tapes were specified out of sequence.

Check the tapes and reenter

receiving mount instructions.

CODE E ON device:

them

AFTER file id,

the

correct

order

after

file number

attempt
During an
This is the result of a read error from tape.
The
an attribute block, some other block was accessed.
read
to
file following the file specified in the error message was lost.
Retry the operation.

DSC

I/0 ERROR K ON device:
One

more messages

an
I/O
file.
Retry

error

the

will

occurred

accompany

this

during

attempt

One

I/0

error

INPUT

the

TAPE

messages

will

occurred

This

accompany

during

device:

message

messages,

TAPE

FILE

this

attempt

RESYNCHRONIZED AT

1is

all

recovered.

indicating

read

the

that

specified

wusually

indicating

filelabel

The input tape
"filelabel."

specified

and

the

file

the file label
correct tape and

file

Some

read

CODE

that

header.

error

bad

and

should

F ON device:

AFTER

file

number

one

input

tape

was

either

The

tape

should

the

file

error

recreated

read

and

device:

not

the

tape,

label

occurred,

id,

with

the

contain

and

are

the

file

identified

the

command

reenter

when

specified.

causing

If the error message was preceded
messages,
the
operation
should

file

that

does

lost.

tape

indicating

the

displayed

EXPECTED EXTENSION HEADER NOT PRESENT ON
number
tape

read

preceding

NOT FOUND ON

Check

message,

data

incorrectly or recorded badly.
the operation reinitiated.

operation.

tape position was
specified was lost.

message,

operation.

The

I/0 ERROR L ON device:

Retry
74

MESSAGES

device:

the

by
be

file

specified

one
or
retried.

1id,

file

more
I/0
warning
If not, the input

regenerated.

file

id,

file

number

This is the result of a read error from tape.
During an
attempt
to
read
a file header, some other block type was accessed.
The
file following the file specified in the error message was lost.
Retry

the

operation.

I/0 ERROR M ON device:
One

the

specified

Retry

the

messages

file

will

could

operation.

accompany

not

this

read.

message,

explaining

why

DSC MESSAGES

79 INDEX FILE DATA NOT PRESENT device:

During an attempt to read the input tape specified, a file

the

than

other

file was accessed due to a tape error or an I/O

index

error.

Recreate the tape or retry the same

tape

different

tape

drive.

80 I/O ERROR N ON device:

One or more messages will accompany this message, indicating that
an I/0 error occurred during an attempt to restore the index and
storage map files from the specified input tape.

Retry the operation using a different input tape drive.
81 VOLUME SUMMARY DATA NOT PRESENT device:

Either the input tape is not a DSC tape or it contains incomplete
data.

Check the tape, and reenter the command.
82 I/0 ERROR O device:

file id,

file number

One or more messages will accompany this message, indicating that

file

I/O0

error

header.

occurred during an attempt to write the specified

Retry the operation.

4,2

DSC I/0 ERROR MESSAGES

DSC errors identified as I/0 errors are accompanied by one or more of
the following error messages to explain the type of I/0 error that
occurred.

BAD BLOCK NUMBER

The block does not exist on
occurred,

or the block

the

is bad.

disk,

internal

DSC

error

Retry the operation with a new disk and/or disk drive.
BAD BLOCK ON DEVICE

A device malfunction occurred or a tape with bad data on it
used, resulting in a block containing incorrect information.

was

Retry the operation.
BLOCK CHECK

A parity error occurred indicating that bad data
transferred.

Retry the operation.

may

have

been

DSC

MESSAGES

DATA OVERRUN

The physical
position, or
Make
DEVICE

sure

NOT

tape used was larger than
was in the wrong format.

the

tape

the

Retry

the
correctly

OF FILE

after

the

device

operation.

not

checking

speed,

that

the

blank

tape

was

and

device

online

specification

the

command

DIGITAL

Field

system.

and

the

write

disk

the

device

command.

locked.

drive,

position was

the

and

reenter

the

command.

lost.

operation.

DETECTED

tape

position

the

VOLUME

The

reenter

drive

tape

Retry
OF

DETECTED

TAPE

The

not

the

enable

Retry

END

the

out

LOCKED

disk

Write

The

and

WRITE

The

operation

both

string,

END

retry

mounted.

device

Check

END

and

got

OFFLINE

The

DEVICE

one

READY

The device was not ready
used as an input tape.

DEVICE

right

expected

was

lost.

operation.
DETECTED

tape

position

was

lost.

Retry the operation.
FATAL

HARDWARE

hardware

Retry

the

ERROR

malfunction
operation;

occurred.
if

the

error

recurs

call

Service.
INSUFFICIENT

The

operating

Retry
PARITY

POOL

the

Retry

the

system

overloaded.

media

operation.

ERROR ON

A device

SPACE

DEVICE

malfunction
operation.

incompatibility

occurred.

DSC

MESSAGES

PRIVILEGE VIOLATION

A device has been mounted as Files-1l.

Dismount the disk,
operation.

mount

it as a

foreign volume,

UNKNOWN SYSTEM ERROR

An undefinable I/0 error

Retry the operation.

occurred.

and

retry

the

INDEX

A
/AP,

2-1,

Append

2-6

Error

qualifier

(/AP),

2-1,

2-6

messages,

fatal,

4-1

through

4-14

4-1

warning,

4-1
F

/BAD=,
Bad

2-1,

2-3,

3-4,

3-5

block data, 2-3, 3-1,
3-4, 3-5, 4-3, 4-12

Bad Block

qualifier

2-3,

3-4,

options,
MAN,

3-2,

(/BAD=),

File
File

2-1,

3-5

2-1,

2-3

2-4

3-4
extensions,
reduction of, 2-7, 3-4,
File label.,
defined, 2-2
error

MAN:NOAUTO,
NOAUTO,

compression,

2-4

4-3

specification,
Files-11 format,

2-4

Bad

data transcription,
Blocks transcribed, 3-4

Bootstrapping

message,

3-2

stand-alone

3-5

1-5,
1-1,

33-

structure

level

1-1

structure

level

1-1

DSC,

C
Initiating DSC,
Command

stand-alone,

format,

1-4
Compare qualifier (/CMP),
Compression,

file,

VAX-11,
2-1,

1-3

1-2

Input device

specification,

1-5

3-4

I/0 error messages,
through

4-2,

1-4,

4-12

4-14

D
Data,
Data

overlaid,

2-3,

3-5

transfer,

from disk, 3-1
from tape, 3-3
operations, 1-2,

to disk,

3-4

3-2

tape,

Magnetic

3-1

data

from, 3-3
transfer to, 3-2
multiple tape devices, 3-2,

data

/DENS=1600, 2-1, 2-8
Density qualifier (/DENS=1600),
2-1, 2-8
Devices, supported, 1-5, 1-6
Diagnostic bad block information,
2-5
Disk,
data
data

transfer

from,

transfer

to,

DSC,

stand-alone,

VAX-11, 1-1,
DSC operation,
DSC

usage,

tape,

transfer

Merge mode,

2-7,

operation, 2-7
transfer, 3-1, 3-4
Messages, 4-1 through 4-14
Multiple tape devices, 3-2,

3-3

3-1
3-4

/NMG,

2-1,

2-7,

1l-

Nonmerge mode

1- 2
3- 1

operation,
qualifier,

1l-1

transfer,

Index-1

3-3

3-1

2-8

(/NMG),

2-7,

2-7

2-1, 2-7,
3-1, 3-4

2-8

3-1

INDEX

o)
Operation, DSC, 3-1
Options, bad block, 2-1, 2-4
defined, 2-3, 2-4
MAN, 2-4
N 2-4
: NOAUTO,
MA
NOAUTO, 2-4
Output device specification,
Overlaid data, 2-3, 3-5

(Cont.)

Retrieval pointers,
reduction of, 2-7, 3-4, 3-5
Rewind qualifier (/RW), 2-1, 2-2
/RW, 2-1, 2-2

S
1-4

Q
Qualifier options, 2-1, 2-3, 2-4
Qualifier specification, 1-5
Qualifiers, 2-1, 2-2 through 2-10
Append (/AP), 2-1, 2-6
Bad Block (/BAD=), 2-1, 2-3
Compare (/CMP), 2-1, 2-9
Density (DENS=1600), 2-1, 2-8
Nonmerge Mode (NMG), 2-1, 2-7
Rewind (/RW), 2-1, 2-2
Verify (/VE), 2-1, 2-9

Specification,
file label, 1-5
input device, 1-5
output device, 1-4
qualifier, 1-5
Stand-alone DSC, 1l-1
bootstrapping, 1-3
initiating, 1-3
terminating, 1-4
Supported devices, 1-5,

Tape, see Magnetic
Terminating DSC,
stand-alone, 1-4
VAX-11l,

1-3

3-1,

~N W

Nonmerge mode,

3-5

tape

Transcription,
bad data, 3-2
Transfer,
Merge mode,

Reduction of,
file extensions, 2-7,
retrieval pointers, 2-

1-6

3-4

3-1,

3-4

vV
/VE,

2-1,

2-9

Verify qualifier

Index-2

(/VE),

2-1,

2-9

VAX-11

Disk Save

and

Compress

User's

Guide
AA-D739A-TE

READER'S

NOTE:

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use

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If you require a written reply and are
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ance

Report

(SPR)

service,

form.

submit your

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